No sex education in schools, says Parliamentary panel

A Parliamentary committee has disfavoured introduction of sex education in schools and suggested inclusion of appropriate chapters in Biology syllabus, but not before plus two stage.

"Message should appropriately be given to school children that there should be no sex before marriage which is immoral, unethical and unhealthy," the Committee on Petitions of Rajya Sabha said in its latest report, which said "there should be no sex education in schools".

The panel headed by senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said that students should be made aware of the fact that indulging in sex outside the institution of marriage was against social ethos.

"Students should also be made aware that child marriage is illegal and is injuries to the health of girl child. They should also be educated that consensual sex below 16 years of age amounts to rape," the committee said.

The panel suggested that appropriate, age specific curriculum should be drawn up for scientific health education, moral education, personality development and character building.

The report on the petition seeking a national debate on introduction of sex education in schools said appropriate chapters on HIV/AIDS may be incorporated in biology syllabus in higher classes.